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Covid-19 and Compassion

Dr Sarah Waseem We are living through difficult and indeed frightening times. Pandemics have come and gone but there is something about Covid-19 that has gripped us in the Western world, like no other before it. Our African friends who suffered so tragically during the Ebola crisis, know all about the impact of isolation, fear, and stigma, but this is new for most of us. Covid-19 has spread worldwide, affecting our lives in ways that many of us could never have envisioned in our wildest dreams. Never before have we witnessed such restrictions on our basic freedoms such as the right to travel, the right to socialize in public spaces, the right to a choice of goods and the right to meet one another as measures are taken to prevent the spread of this disease. Most countries have imposed travel bans. Borders have been closed. Entertainment venues have been closed. Businesses have had to find ways for staff to work remotely, while many self-employed people face losing their livelihoods. Collective anxiety has resulted in panic buying and the hoarding of food and every day goods by some, leading to unprecedented scenes of fights over food and basic supplies in stores. However, while disrupted supply chains are slowing down manufacturing and international travel, we are also seeing people rallying together to support and assist each other. Major retailers are collaborating to ration supplies and are changing opening hours to help their more vulnerable customers. As governments are forced to impose isolation on us, communities have found innovative ways to rally together within the constraints of social isolation. In Spain and Italy, neighbours in flats have been singing to each other across their balconies and even exercising together ‘but apart’. In the UK volunteers are flocking into help the National Health Service. Harvard scientists and their Chinese colleagues are collaborating to develop a Covid-19 vaccine. The sharing of knowledge concerning the effects of Covid-19, on an international scale, has become paramount and rather than assigning blame, countries are collaborating to develop a vaccine. These are indeed the ‘best of times and the worst of times’, for only by supporting and working together that can we solve our problems. As compassion therapists Chris Germer and Kristin Neff have said, ”The choice is between reacting with fear or responding with kindness.” It is this spirit of compassion that the founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as), instructed Ahmadi Muslims to follow. He wrote: “The principle to which we adhere is that we have kindness at heart for the whole of mankind. If anyone sees the house of a Hindu neighbor on fire and does not come forward to help extinguish the fire, most truly I declare that he does not belong to me. If anyone of my followers, having seen someone attempting to murder a Christian does not endeavor to save him, I most truly declare that he does not belong to us.” (Siraj-e-Muneer, Roohani Khazain V. 12 p 28) Compassion is at the core of Islamic teachings. The first chapter of the Holy Qur’an reminds us that Allah is ‘The Gracious and the Merciful’. In Chapter 107, verses 3-7 of the Holy Quran, Allah the Almighty states: ‘…the one who drives away the orphan, and urges not the feeding of the poor. So woe to those who pray, but are unmindful of their prayers. They only like to be seen of men.’ Islamic teachings even help us understand who our neighbours are. The Holy Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said that a person’s neighbours include at least the forty houses around him. In fact, the angel Gabriel emphasized the rights of neighbours so much that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) thought they would be included in one’s will. It is this belief that drives members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community to help at this time of need. Organizations like Humanity First, a charity run by members of the community, Lajna Ima’illah (the Ladies’ auxiliary organization of the community), Khuddamul Ahmadiyya (males under 40), and Ansar- ul Ahamdiyya (males over 40) are all striving to help their nations survive with practical offers of assistance as well as emotional support. As His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) has directed, “Indeed, the Holy Quran has declared that the prayers of those who do not fulfill the rights of mankind will never be accepted by God Almighty and, to the contrary, will prove the means of their destruction… Let it be clear that it is the religious duty of every Muslim to fulfill the needs of humanity and to treat every person, irrespective of their caste, creed or color, with grace, love, and affection.” (address at the opening of new mosque in Southall Uk 23/02/20) Covid-19 has also made us ask searching questions of how we co-exist as a global community. His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) commented in 2013 at an address to Parliamentarians in the UK, “The world has become a global village and so a lack of mutual respect and a failure to join together to promote peace will not only harm the local area, city or country but in fact will ultimately lead to the destruction of the entire world.” (Address at Houses of Parliament in London, UK on Centenary of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in UK 11/06/13) Covid19 is a turning point for our society. The world as we know it, may never be the same again. I believe that compassion for ourselves and our fellow beings will help us move forward. How we tap into this compassion when we feel so frightened, is the question. For some, it will be part of their nature, and for others, it will be their faith. Source: The Review of Religions

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Saudi Arabia bans prayers at mosques over coronavirus fears

Move will also include weekly Friday prayers in a country that has reported more than 270 coronavirus cases. Based on reporting by Aljazeera Saudi Arabia has suspended the holding of daily prayers and the weekly Friday prayers inside and outside the walls of the two mosques in Mecca and Medina to limit the spread of coronavirus. Earlier, on Tuesday, Saudi Arabia had suspended congregational prayers in other mosques in the country except Masjid al-Haram and Masjid an-Nabawi, in Mecca and Medina respectively. Authorities had placed restrictions on praying inside the mosque in Mecca. On Thursday, the government suspended prayers outside the two holy mosques. “The Presidency and the security and health authorities decided to suspend the presence and prayers in the outer squares of the Grand Mosque [Masjid al-Haram] and the Prophet’s Mosque [Masjid al-Nabawi] starting tomorrow, Friday,” the country’s official SPA news agency quoted Hani bin Hosni Haider, a spokesman for the General Presidency of Mecca’s Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, as saying. Saudi Arabia recorded 36 new infections on Thursday, bringing its total to 274 with no deaths so far. It has taken drastic measures already. In addition to closing mosques, it has halted international flights, suspended the Umrah year-round pilgrimage to Mecca, shut down schools, malls and restaurants, and asked people to stop going to work. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s King Salman said the kingdom will take measures to curb its spread and urged citizens to work together to confront the pandemic. “We are living through a difficult period in the history of the world, but we are fully aware that it will pass despite its cruelty, bitterness and difficulty,” the 84-year-old monarch said on Thursday in a five-minute televised address. Amid volatility in regional markets and plunging oil prices, the world’s top crude exporter has prepared a 50 billion riyal ($13bn) package to help small and medium-sized enterprises cope, and has cut its state budget by nearly five percent.

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Ahmadiyya Holds First Aminul Quran for Six Students in Ogbagede

It was a special Saturday, 29th February 2020 as the Quranic school of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Ogbagede graduated the first set of students who have completed the basic reading of the Quran in an historic maiden Aminul Quran event held in the Jamaat’s mosque premises at Ogbagede -Emekutu, Ankpa, Kogi State of Nigeria. The memorable event, hosted by Missionary Abdul-Hakeem Okewale who doubles as resident Missionary of Ahmadiyya at Ogbagede and tutor of the Quranic school, was graced by many high profile Muslim and Christian leaders including the Circuit President of Ahmadiyya in Igalaland, Alhaji Musa Khalil, Dr. Khalid Bala, the Chief Imam of Emekutu, Alhaj Zakariyya, Imam of Okura, Alhaj Shuaib Musa, Imam of Ogoba, and Rev. Father Stephen Onyewuchukwu, among others. In his welcome address, Missionary Abdul-Hakeem Okewale Sahib expressed gratitude to Allah for the historic achievements being recorded by Ahmadiyya in the service of the Glorious Quran in Ogbagede, highlighting the various aspects of Quranic knowledge that are being imparted on the students. The guest lecturer, Hafiz Yunus Omotayo, who spoke on the miracles in the Qur’an, declared that the Holy Qur’an is the greatest and everlasting miracles given to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw). He specifically quoted the Holy Prophet (saw) who said, “None among the earlier Prophets who have not been given signs through which humans believed in the truthfulness of their message. But revelation (the Qur’an) is the sign which has been given to me and with that, I hope to get the largest of followers on the day of resurrection.” Speaking further, he dissected the various aspects of miracles in the Quran which range from the beauty and inimitability of its composition, among other literary miracles, to the scientific miracles relating to biological, embryological and astronomical facts contained in the Holy Book, and so on. Making reference to Quran 17:89 which challenges mankind, both high and low, to produce the like of the Quran if they could, he noted that it is all these miracles and the inability of a man to produce the like of them that prove the uniqueness, virtues, and glory of the Quran. A special feature of the event was the melodious recitation of the Glorious Quran by each of the graduands which were coordinated by Missionary Abdur-Raheem Bello. Other interesting highlights include educational presentations by the students which include chanting of Qaseedah [poem] and Salat practical demonstration, among others. The Circuit Missionary for Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Igala Circuit, Missionary Abdul-Qadir Ibrahim, delivered the closing remark where he highlighted the various peaceful preaching (Tabligh), moral educational (Tarbiyya) and humanitarian activities being carried out by Ahmadiyya in Igala land, stressing that the message of peace and love being propagated by Ahmadiyya represents the reformed and enlightened teachings of Islam for the people of our time. The six graduands are Yusuf Onu, Abdul Wahhab Bamaiyi, Fadlullah Okewale, Muhammad Akubo, Juwaeriya Adejoh, and Sharifah Akubo Other Ahmadiyya Missionaries at the programme were Missionary Uthman Yahya, Missionary Abdul-Ghani Abdul-Hameed, Missionary Khamis, Missionary Habeeb, and Missionary Zakariya.

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COVID-19: Quran’s Response to the Conspiracy Theories and Speculations

The outbreak of Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) which occurred in China has continued to ravage human life, straining global health systems. First declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization on January 30, 2020, the startling spread of the disease necessitated the global health body to further declare it a global pandemic on March 11, 2020. As this piece is being penned today, April 3rd, 2020, the global confirmed positive cases stand at 1,016,413 with a death toll of 53,238 and 213,134 recovered cases. Check update as at nowhere. It has since locked down our global village, particularly dealing a dead blow to the advanced countries. In many countries, it has restricted social activities, forcefully imposing new order of life upon the entire global human family. It has closed down places of worship. It has shut down factories and businesses, crushed global petrol price,s and pushed the world to the verge of a looming global economic and financial crisis. With the increasing global positive cases and death toll, but with no verified curable vaccine within our closest view yet, it is evident that the world is in the grip of a global catastrophe of a phenomenal proportion. Notably, amid the trending global health crisis, the media (both mainstream and social) and the internet and “street” discussions have been buzzing with various and conflicting conspiracy theories and speculations about the underlying factors that effectuated the outbreak of this global pandemic. In the following lines, this piece will attempt a brief assessment of these speculations and present what it views as the Quranic verdict on the pandemic. Among the viral conspiracy theories and speculations are: The Biological Warfare Conspiracy Theory There are those who speculate that COVID-19 is a bioweapon unleashed by a certain world power in pre-calculated biological warfare to gain or maintain global political and economic ascendancy and hegemony. Two conflicting powers are pushing this conspiracy theory: The American Connection As an article written by Phil Muncaster and published by Infosecurity Magazine on 1 April 2020 shows, while Chinese conspiracy theory which posits that COVID-19 was some kind of US military bioweapon date back to January, by February 1, speculation began to spread that the virus was linked to US attendance at the Military World Games, which took place in Wuhan in October 2019. Subsequently, Zhao Lijian, deputy director-general of the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s Information Department, took to Twitter on March 12 to suggest “the US army brought the epidemic to Wuhan.” This was followed a few hours later by another tweet of Zhao’s which shared an article from a conspiracy theory site that “the virus originated in the US.” The Chinese Connection On 29 March, 20202, Economic Times published an article entitled ‘A Bioweapon or Effects of 5G? 7 Conspiracy Theories Around Coronavirus That Will Shock You.’ The article documents how those on the American side are sharing suspicions that the virus could have originated from Wuhan, Institute of Virology, which houses China’s only level-four biosafety laboratory (the highest-level classification of labs that study the deadliest viruses). The first prominent personality to come out publicly and support the theory was the US senator Tom Cotton who appeared on Fox News to allege that the virus could indeed have originated from the lab. It is perhaps against this backdrop and/or in an attempt to impress this upon the world, that the US President, Donald Trump has since been referring to COVID-19 as a Chinese virus. 2. The Effects of 5G Technology Speculation A connection between 5G Technology and coronavirus has also surfaced online. This speculation attributes the global pandemic to the effects of 5G technology. COVID-19 is believed to have originated from a wet market in Wuhan, China, in November. Coincidentally, China also turned on some of its 5G networks in November. 3. The Natural Pandemic Speculation There is another speculative theory that tends to believe that COVID-19 is a natural pandemic that has its causes or origins in the Chinese seafood market. This was substantiated by reports from Chinese health authorities and the World Health Organization which said that “most” cases had links to the seafood market, which was closed on 1 January 2020. Observably, two conflicting attitudes are being held towards this perspective by two different sections of people. One, those who seem to believe that since COVID-19 has its origin in natural causes, the scientific and technological community would soon discover and produce vaccine(s) for it, and so, like every other earlier pandemic, it would soon be defeated or disappeared from the world, notwithstanding the overall limited casualties that would be recorded anyway! The second attitude tries to make sense of COVID-19 as a natural pandemic meant by the divine as a reformatory punishment to draw mankind back to their Supreme Creator and God. At this juncture, it is important to look into the Glorious Quran and find out how does it address the present COVID-19, particularly, its attitude to the foregoing conflicting speculations about the factors behind the global pandemic. From a general principle that “There befalls not any calamity either in the earth or in your even persons, but it is recorded in a Book before We bring it into being…” (Q. 57:23), the Holy Quran goes further to declare in the verse 66th of its Chapter 6 that: “Say, ‘He has the power to send punishment upon you from above or from beneath your feet, or to confound you by splitting you into sects and make you taste the violence of one another.’ See how We expound the Signs in various ways that they may understand.” In his celebrated Quranic commentary, the Second Supreme Head of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hadhrat Mirza Bashirudeen Mahmud Ahmad (ra) explained this verse thus: “The Quran here refers to some of the kinds of punishment which God may send down on men. Punishments “from above” signify famines, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, oppression of the weak by the powerful, mental agony, etc. And

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COVID 19: AHMADIYYA MUSLIM COMMUNITY DISTRIBUTES FOOD ITEMS TO THE POOR

As the world continue to battle with the economic hardship created by the ravaging and deadly Coronavirus Disease, otherwise known as COVID- 19, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria have distributed food items worth millions of naira to the poor and vulnerable within Ojokoro Area, Ijaiye in Lagos State. The food items were distributed to over 500 families by the Humanity First International Nigeria Branch; a non-governmental organization founded by Ahmadiyya Community saddled with the responsibility of providing humanitarian services to the people affected by natural disasters. Other activities of Humanity First International include women empowerment, knowledge for life, gift of sight, water for all, medical services, disaster service, food for life, orphan care, among others. The organization has been firmly established in 52 countries. The Amir (National Head) of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria Alh.(Barr.) Alatoye Folorunso Azeez, represented by the Naib Amir (Deputy National Head) Finance and Administration Alh.(Engr.) Mufadhil Bankole at the handing over of the food items to Humanity First, enjoined Nigerians to be law-abiding, obey the stay at home directives and implement all other precautionary measures outlined by the government and health authorities to halt the spread of the pandemic. He said the continuous provision of palliatives to the poor should be the social responsibility of government at all levels as well as well-meaning Nigerians, groups, and organizations in order to cushion the effects of the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic which has now affected over 180 countries in the world with more than two million people infected. The Muslim organisation also donated food items and face masks to the Nigerian Union of Journalists as a mark of recognition of the tremendous works of the media in sensitising and enlightening the public on the pandemic. The items were received by the Chairman Nigerian Union of Journalists Lagos State, Dr. Qasim Akinreti, who later appreciated the kind gesture of the Muslim body. Alh. Bankole further disclosed that the local branches of the Muslim Community across Nigeria had earlier provided food items and relief materials to the vulnerable at the grassroots.

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Covid-19: A story of Carrom board, Conference calls and Context

By Mansoor Clarke There is no doubt that the Coronavirus pandemic is a terrible state of affairs. The loss of even one life is one too many, and the ramifications of the outbreak will, it is predicted, be felt for years to come. But as we stock up on tinned foods, dust off the family board games and log in to the office conference call, we should remember, that what we in our seemingly impregnable societies see as a state of emergency, others around the world experience as regular day to day life. Covid-19 has laid bare the vulnerabilities in a system that we believed to be unbreakable. From disruption in the transport and education systems to power outages and the unavailability of food or medical treatment, these may feel like unprecedented times in many people’s lives, yet there are others around the world who very much see this as the norm. In 2018 I was fortunate enough to be sent as a missionary to Sierra Leone for a few months. While I was there, I saw both what you would expect from a bustling center of culture and business, but I also met with some people who had never had electricity at home and didn’t have access to clean drinking water, let alone medical assistance or proper education. There is nothing wrong with feeling the pressure of today’s predicament, but it should lead us to building a strong sense of empathy and compassion for others who have to endure much worse from birth. If ever we feel that ‘this is too difficult’, try to look at the circumstances of those who don’t have the privileges and ease that we often take for granted. This concept is explained to us in a narration of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) when he stated: ‘Look at those below you and do not look at those above you, for it is the best way not to belittle the favours of Allah.’ (Bukhari and Muslim) Just a few days ago a friend of mine dropped off a 3kg bag of uncooked pasta, I had a time deciding whether to go with fusilli or penne. The very fact that I had the luxury to be able to make that choice and yet still feel pressured speaks volumes about the luxuries and ease we have become accustomed to. The fact of the matter is that there are many innocent people who are losing their lives as a result of this tragic pandemic. Where we mourn for them, and applaud the NHS for their mammoth efforts, we should also harbor and hold the same admiration and affection for those around the world who endure the very same thing, but all year round. As we endeavor towards finding a vaccine and a cure for Covid-19, remember that around 300-600 million people a year suffer from malaria, a disease which in most cases is completely treatable, and yet a million of those cases still end in death. God willing, the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic will soon come to an end, but with its passing, we should not forget the relative suffering that we have undergone over the past few months. We have had just a small taste of what others around the world are forced to endure all the time. The difference being of course, that their ‘state of emergency’ won’t come to an end in 3 months’ time. So over the next few weeks, while we make the most of family time, playing carrom board with the kids, or tutting over the hiccups in our video conference call, let’s also take a moment to contextualise our ‘suffering’. Take a moment to think about those that have lost their loved ones to this pandemic, and to those that have to endure these difficulties for the rest of their lives. If we do so, and inculcate the advice of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa), we just might start to appreciate the wonderous favours that Allah has bestowed upon us. About the Author: Mansoor Clarke is an Imam of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community currently working in the community’s International Press and Media Office in London. He also serves on the Editorial Board of The Review of Religions. Source: The Review of Religions

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RAMADAN: ITS IMPORTANCE AND UNIQUE BLESSINGS

Ramadan is a holy month out of the 12 months in the Islamic calendar. It is the month of fasting (saum) which is one of the five pillars of Islam. Looking down into the history of Islam, Ramadan has been the practice of Muslims worldwide since time immemorial and so Muslims hold this month in very high esteem and deem it fit to always adhere to all practices that are spiritually favorable in this blessed month. Adherents of other faiths may wonder why Muslims hold this month in high esteem because it is glaring that in this special month the remembrance of God Almighty is more intense. Hence, Muslims seek the favors, mercy, and forgiveness of God Almighty in all sincerity. God Almighty has said in the Glorious Quran that “O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become righteous” This verse of the Holy Quran gives an insight into why Muslims give full attention to this blessed month. Ramadan is not just an ordinary month but a month that every Muslim brethren always longs for, a month that comes with a special notice. The remembrance of Allah the Almighty is intense, nights become sleepless and are spent at the threshold of The Almighty In this month, the heart subdues itself to religious doctrines, the doors of unnecessary social gatherings are closed and the heart of man becomes cold from the worldly pursuits. Muslims’ hearts are filled with the love of God. How then would a man want to miss from the great bounties of such a spectacular month, the doors of heaven are opened and that of hell is closed- a month everyone is mindful of his thoughts, actions, and selfish desires. Ramadan is a month of spiritual reflection and self-improvement in which the rich remember the poor. No Muslim wishes to miss out of the great blessings embedded in this holy month. Shaitan is chained for he himself fears this glorious month. God Almighty brings Himself closer to mankind and hears the supplications of the supplicants. On one occasion, the Holy Prophet(sa) said, “If you knew the excellences of Ramadan and what Ramadan entails one would always wish that Ramadan should continue till the end of the year”. Fasting does not mean just refraining from food or drink but also moving far from activities that void one’s fasting. To solely remain hungry from morning until evening is not considered fast. The Promised Messiah(as) has stated, “Through the practice of fasting, God Almighty desires for a person to decrease one form of nourishment and increase in another form of sustenance. A person observing the fast should always be mindful of the fact that observing the fast does not simply mean that one should remain hungry. Rather, one should remain occupied in the remembrance of God Almighty in order to develop a state of inclination towards God and detachment from the world.” The Promised Messiah (as) states, “Therefore, a fast means that a person should refrain from the physical food that nourishes the body and acquire another form of food that is the means of comforting and nourishing the soul. Those individuals who observe the fast purely for the sake of God and do not do so as a mere tradition, they should remain engaged in praising God Almighty and also seeking His protection.” (Malfuzat, Vol. 9, p. 123) The Holy Prophet (sa) has also stated that God Almighty does not require for you to simply remain hungry (Sahih Bukhari, Kitab al-Saum, Bab Man Lam Yada’ Qaul al-Zur wa al-amal bihi fi al-saum, Hadith 1903). Moreover, God Almighty has also stated in the very first verse pertaining to the injunction that fasting has been prescribed so that one may become righteous. However, what is righteousness? It is to abstain from spiritual and moral weaknesses. As I have just mentioned, the Holy Prophet(sa)  has stated that God Almighty does not require for one to simply remain hungry. The observing of the fast should develop a standard of righteousness within a person, through the means of which one is then able to protect themselves from all forms of spiritual and moral weaknesses, otherwise it is meaningless to fast. Furthermore, the Promised Messiah(as) has elaborated on righteousness on one occasion in the following manner: “To become truly righteous it is necessary that after having abstained from the more manifest form of sins, such as adultery, theft, usurping the rights of others, pretentiousness, arrogance, scorn of fellow beings, miserliness, one should eschew all low morals and should make progress in high moral values.” In other words, one should make a concerted effort to abandon these ills. By abandoning these lowly vices, one should then adopt excellent morals. The Promised Messiah (as) further states, “One should behave towards his fellow beings with politeness, courtesy and sympathy and should cultivate true fidelity and sincerity towards God Almighty. (This is vital for righteousness and spirituality. One ought to have a true and loyal relationship with God.) “One should constantly seek occasions of beneficent service.” This encapsulates both the rights owed to God Almighty and fulfilling His injunctions, and also fulfilling the rights owed to mankind. In other words, one should serve in such a selfless manner whereby it would be obvious that indeed, such a person is serving only for the sake of God without any vested interests. Ramadan is a revered month that comes with enormous blessings. Unfolding the meanings of the last phrase of verse 184 of Surah Baqarah “La’allakum tattakuun”, it is stated that “the real object of fasting is, first, to be saved from harm and suffering, and secondly, to be saved from sin and evil”.(Five- Volume Commentary, vol. 1 p. 237) Fasting also protects one from spiritual and physical harms. And health wise it is beneficial for the body. The Night of Majesty (Lailatul Qadr) is a rare blessing that comes during the period of one of the odd

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Coronavirus — Pursuit for a Cure

In December 2019, the first cases of patients with pneumonia-like viral illness were identified in Wuhan, China. Subsequently, a novel human-infecting coronavirus (termed SARS-CoV-2) was identified as the causative agent for the illness1. Since then 210 countries and territories have reported cases of COVID-19 (COronaVIrus Disease-2019), with global cases topping 4 million and close to 300,000 confirmed deaths (WHO COVID-19 Situation Report – 112, 11th May 2020). With the COVID-19 pandemic raging across the globe, multiple avenues of treatments are being developed and tested for efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 pathogen. As of yet, there are no universal cures against COVID-19 and the search for an effective vaccine still continues. What is COVID-19? COVID-19 is the official name assigned by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus. SARS-CoV-2 belongs to a large family of viruses called coronaviruses that are believed to have been originated in bats2. Through genetic mutations, these viruses are thought to have spilled over from bats to other animals, and subsequently mutated further to infect humans. Over the past 20 years, two such coronaviruses have caused highly pathogenic outbreaks in humans: 2002 severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak caused by SARS-CoV and 2012 Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) outbreak caused by MERS-CoV. SARS CoV-2,like its predecessors, infects human cells found in the respiratory systems, leading to common symptoms like fever, cough, and shortness of breath. However, in severe cases, the disease progresses to pneumonia and multi-organ failure, ultimately leading to death. The rapid spread of the SARS CoV-2 is what has set it apart from other coronaviruses, leaving nations across the world scrambling for ways to reduce its transmission. Furthermore, there are no known treatments to either prevent or treat the disease, with disease management limited to supportive care3. As we all watch the pandemic affecting people close to us, we are left to wonder when a treatment will become available to cure us of this disease? Disease and its cure – the Islamic perspective The Holy Qur’an explains that Allah the Almighty is the source of health for those who are sick as Prophet Abraham (as) told his people, ‘And when I am ill, it is He Who restores me to health‘ (Holy Quran, 26:81). This injunction is further corroborated by a Hadith of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) as is narrated by Abu Hurairah (ra), ‘There is no disease that Allah has created, except that He also has created its treatment.’ (Sahih al-Bukhari, 5678, Book 76, Hadith 1). While human effort result in the discovery of new treatments for diseases, it is Allah the Almighty in His infinite compassion and grace Who has given mankind the intellect to support these endeavours and He guides those who seek them to fulfilment. Allah’s compassion for His creation provides hope that while the situation maybe dire, He will provide the necessary cures. Though, human effort is indeed needed which is channeled towards research efforts that attempt to better understand human diseases and use that knowledge in the development of treatments. The Fifth Caliph and worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) clarified the purpose of these efforts in his message to students conducting research during his 2016 tour of Germany, ‘Every person is going to die one day, however it is very important that we use our brains to try and find cures for the illness and ailments that cause so much suffering and to try and improve the quality of people’s lives. This is the essence and true spirit with which research should be conducted.’ (From ‘A Personal Account’ by Abid Khan — Huzoor’saa tour of Germany 27th Aug – 10th Sept 2016 — Part 1, under ‘Student classes with Huzooraa page 20-21). With this hope that a cure, God willing, will be found, we relate some of the efforts that are being performed around the world for curing COVID-19. Furthermore, millions around the world are praying for the success of these scientists — it is this combination of effort and prayer that attracts the mercy of Allah. Repurposing Drugs Although a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 will serve as the most effective strategy for long-term infection control, repurposing of drugs designed to treat other conditions may offer quicker solutions to control the pandemic. While the treatment landscape for SARS-CoV-2 is rapidly evolving, a number of candidate therapies are already being evaluated in human patients by both government-funded organizations (for example NIH in USA, NIHR in UK, and CIHR in Canada) and pharmaceutical companies. Here we describe some of the current therapies being tested for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 and detail the absolute need for a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 to control the COVID-19 pandemic. Chloroquine One of the promising agents touted widely in the media is the use of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine for the treatment of COVID-19. These two drugs are most commonly used for treating malaria and autoimmune conditions, including lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. While malaria (caused by a single celled Plasmodium ) is biologically very different to coronavirus, the drugs have different effects on human cells which can disrupt the ability of pathogens to infect cells and also limit their ability to replicate4. Hydroxychloroquine was first tested as a possible treatment against coronavirus infection back in 2002, after the emergence of SARS outbreak5,6. At that time, the drug was only tested in laboratory cell cultures and no randomized control studies were conducted in actual patients. Similar to its effects against SARS-CoV, chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine has now also shown promise against SARS-CoV-2 in laboratory settings7–9. Early clinical studies seemed to suggest it could be quite effective in patients infected with SARS-CoV-210, which created much enthusiasm that it could be used as a treatment for COVID-19 patients. These were preliminary observational studies and were not the high-quality randomized trials that are typically used to assess effectiveness. Despite the limited clinical data, the US Federal Drug Administration approved the emergency use of hydroxychloroquine in COVID-19 patients. Soon after, conflicting evidence for the efficacy

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The Islamic Culture of Cleanliness: A Panacea for the Spread of Viral Diseases

Today, when the novel Covid-19 pandemic is ravaging the world, cleanliness, especially hand washing, has become a most prescribed means to forestall its further spread. Millions of dollars have been expended globally by governments and corporate bodies on advertising the importance of washing of hands in this trying time. This campaign of regular washing of hands has rent the air of the world through both the traditional and the new media. Scrubbing of public places and joints have also become regular duties in many cities around the world. It thus appears that all human beings are just waking up into a new culture and tradition! In his submission on “Disease Control via Handwashing: An Effective Tool in the Health and Safety Arsenal”, Michaels B. (2003) takes us to memory lane on how effective has handwashing been in containing diseases: “The history of handwashing practice is as old as dirt itself… Modern principles of handwashing (friction, dilution, disinfection and drying) were established long ago. Just as in architecture, personal and hand hygiene had a role in shaping history: the Greeks were victorious over the great naval fleet led by Xerxes because the Persian forces were incapacitated by dysentery…The human hand and its role in germ transmission, was well documented in ‘The Sources and Modes of Infection, 1910’, by Charles V. Chapin MD, one-time Boston health officer. Since the hands touch all parts of the body, other people, objects, domestic animals and food, it follows that a diverse microbial flora can exist on the hands. Hand transfer was thus identified as a significant mode of transmission for bacteria, such as Salmonella typhi (source of Typhoid Mary Mallon’s fever) parasites and viruses from person to person, in zigzag fashion: from person to surface, from surface to person, and from person to food. This explains the value of “hands free” hygiene systems seen in modern public facilities… And thus, as it has been and shall ever be, let’s all remember to wash our hands!!” Well, for those of us who attended primary schools before and around four decades ago – a period when the real Nigeria Education Policy held sway; we had the opportunity to be taught with the languages of our immediate environments. Where this writer attended primary school, Yorùbá was the language of communication both on the assembly ground and classrooms. This made the lessons to sink well in the mind. During the daily school assembly, several moral and ethic-ridden nursery rhymes in the local language were taught and must be recited by us every morning before matching to our respective classroom. One of such rhymes that still resonates in mind and which is apt in this Covid-19 era is reproduced below: Ìmọ́tótó;Ó lè ṣẹ́’gun àrùn gbogbo.Ìmọ́tótó ilé;Ìmọ́tótó eyín;Ìmọ́tótó ara;Ìmọ́tótó oúnjẹ;Ìmọ́tótó;Ó lè ṣẹ́gun àrùn gbogbo. Translation:Cleanliness;It can prevent every disease.Home CleaningCleanliness of teethBody hygieneFood hygiene.Cleanliness;It can prevent every disease. Additionally, once weekly in school, we were taken through practical session of cleaning that included clipping of nails, brushing of teeth with any available chewing stick, washing of our hands and faces, etc. These school extra-curricular activities complemented the daily routine of cleanings at home. Those were the days when civil responsibilities were held high by teachers above material rewards and pecuniary gains. Perceptions of cleanliness and dirtiness have been used as yardsticks with which individuals and groups of different social, cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds are measured. Villages, cities and nations have also been assessed and ranked with scale of cleanliness. Countless similes and metaphors, too, have been employed by different linguistic entities to create mental images of how clean or dirty a person, animal, place or thing is. This article intends to bring home the Islamic concept of cleanliness as it relates to the current trend. It seeks to serve as a reminder for us who are already aware of the teaching, and also to inform those who may find it strange that the Islamic concept of cleanliness is so in-depth. Afterall, ‘For whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning…’ [Romans 15:4] Islam is a religion that discusses all universal concepts in ways that every curious mind would have its own take-home. In contrast to what has been erroneously believed, teachings of Islam are meant for all mankind. The Holy Quran declares that the light it has come to beam knows no boundary. It says: اَللّٰہُ نُوۡرُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَ الۡاَرۡضِ ؕ مَثَلُ نُوۡرِہٖ کَمِشۡکٰوۃٍ فِیۡہَا مِصۡبَاحٌ ؕ اَلۡمِصۡبَاحُ فِیۡ زُجَاجَۃٍ ؕ اَلزُّجَاجَۃُ کَاَنَّہَا کَوۡکَبٌ دُرِّیٌّ یُّوۡقَدُ مِنۡ شَجَرَۃٍ مُّبٰرَکَۃٍ زَیۡتُوۡنَۃٍ لَّا شَرۡقِیَّۃٍ وَّ لَا غَرۡبِیَّۃٍ ۙ یَّکَادُ زَیۡتُہَا یُضِیۡٓءُ وَ لَوۡ لَمۡ تَمۡسَسۡہُ نَارٌ ؕ نُوۡرٌ عَلٰی نُوۡرٍ ؕ یَہۡدِی اللّٰہُ لِنُوۡرِہٖ مَنۡ یَّشَآءُ ؕ وَ یَضۡرِبُ اللّٰہُ الۡاَمۡثَالَ لِلنَّاسِ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ بِکُلِّ شَیۡءٍ عَلِیۡمٌ ﴿ۙ۳۶ “Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The similitude of His light is as a lustrous niche, wherein is a lamp. The lamp is in a glass. The glass is as it were a glittering star. It is lit from a blessed tree — an olive — neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil would well-nigh glow forth even though fire touched it not. Light upon light! Allah guides to His light whomsoever He will. And Allah sets forth parables to men, and Allah knows all things full well”. [Q.24.36] The Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, himself, who graciously conveyed the light to us was commanded in the Holy Qur’an chapter 7 verse 159, to inform all of mankind that he is a prophet to all. In Islam, every matter that has far-reaching effects on physical, moral and spiritual lives of man, including cleanliness, has been considered significant. Whereas, to many, cleanliness falls to the insignificant category of concepts; hence discussing it is a hair-splitting exercise. Holders of such notions have forgotten so quickly the maxim that ‘Great things are done by a series of small things brought together’. Cleanliness is established in Islam as a part of faith.

Featured, Humanity

2020 EIDUL FITR MESSAGE FROM THE OFFICE OF THE AMIR, AMJN ALHAJ ALATOYE FOLORUNSO AZEEZ

I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah. He is one, without any partner. I also affirm that Muhammad Mustapha (May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is the Messenger of Allah and His servant. We invoke Allah’s blessings on Muhammad and his household and on his true followers until the Day of Judgment. I wish to congratulate the entire Muslim Ummah, especially my brothers and sisters in Nigeria, for the successful completion of this year’s Ramadan fast. The holy month of Ramadan was observed in an unusual way this year, occasioned by the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus also known as Covid-19. Our condolences go to all those who lost their loved ones due to the pandemic. We pray for the quick recovery of those afflicted and for Allah’s protection on all of us. We urge all Nigerians to faithfully follow the guidelines issued by the government and health authorities. We should seek forgiveness for our sins and beseech the Almighty Allah for His mercy. We urge all Muslims to imbibe the lessons taught by the Ramadan and to live our lives in practical demonstration of such lessons in order to improve our relationships with our creator. This is the only way we can claim to be fulfilling the purpose of our creation. The intensity of our prayers during the Ramadan should continue. We should constantly pray for our country, leaders at all levels and all citizens. To create the right environment for the acceptance of our prayers, we should live pure lives, devoid of sinful acts, hatred, disobedience, nepotism, corruption and other vices – most of which were avoided during the Ramadan. Going back to these acts is a vitiation of our sacrifices during the Holy month of Ramadan. We should see our disposition to unrighteousness during the last one month as a template to go through the next eleven months before the next Ramadan. As Muslims, we are expected to be our brothers’ keeper. We should rededicate our lives to the service of Allah and of humanity. It is against the noble teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) for Muslims to be engaged in rebellion, religious intolerance, corruption in all of its ramifications and arrogant behaviour. Remembering the Day of Judgment and the consequences of our actions here on earth should be enough to keep us off of these vices but unfortunately, we behave as if there is no life after death. We call on our political leaders and all those who are in position of authority to adhere strictly to the rule of law and to maintain justice. There can be no peace in the absence of justice. Our public office holders should harness our God-given resources to develop the country, rather than concentrating on selfish interests. As citizens, we also owe it a duty to support the government by being lawful citizens and doing all those things that are required of us to develop the country, as the government alone cannot achieve this goal. We pray for Allah’s guidance on our leaders, His mercy on all of us and the acceptance of our prayers. Eid Mubarak! Eid Mubarak!! Eid Mubarak!!! SignedAlatoye Folorunso AzeezAmir (National Head)

For more than one hundred years the Ahmadiyya Muslim community has been leading a peaceful revival of Islam. From the time it was founded in India in 1889 it has enjoyed an unrivalled record for peace and for its efforts to build cohesive societies.

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